NHL Reporter Jessi Pierce and 3 Children Killed in House Fire

Beloved Minnesota journalist's final social media post captured family's ice cream outing before tragedy

Mar. 23, 2026 at 9:03am

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Tragedy struck the NHL community as beloved reporter Jessi Pierce, 37, and her three young children - Hudson, Cayden, and Avery - perished in a fast-moving house fire in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Just a day earlier, Pierce had shared a series of heartwarming photos on social media documenting a trip to a local ice cream parlor with her family. Emergency services rushed to the property in the early hours of March 21st after receiving reports of smoke, but the family was pronounced dead at the scene.

Why it matters

The devastating loss of Jessi Pierce and her children has left the hockey community and local community in White Bear Lake heartbroken. Pierce was a cherished contributor to NHL.com for over a decade and her passion for the sport was widely admired. The cause of the deadly fire remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal's Office.

The details

According to reports, emergency services were alerted to the blaze on Richard Avenue at approximately 5:25 am on March 21st. Neighbors had spotted smoke rising from the roof of the home. Firefighters arrived to find the property completely engulfed, and tragically, Pierce and her three children were all pronounced dead at the scene. The family's pet also perished in the fire. Pierce's husband, Mike, was away from the home during the early morning blaze.

  • On March 20th, 2026, Jessi Pierce and her three children visited a local ice cream parlor called Cup and Cone to celebrate its 53rd seasonal opening.
  • The fatal house fire occurred in the early hours of March 21st, 2026.

The players

Jessi Pierce

A 37-year-old NHL reporter who worked for NHL.com for over 10 years and also contributed to The Athletic and co-hosted the Bardown Beauties podcast.

Hudson, Cayden, and Avery

Jessi Pierce's three young children who perished in the house fire alongside their mother.

Mike

Jessi Pierce's husband who was away from the home during the early morning blaze.

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What’s next

The State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the deadly blaze.

The takeaway

This heartbreaking tragedy has left the hockey community and local residents in White Bear Lake devastated. Jessi Pierce was a beloved reporter known for her passion for the sport, and the loss of her and her three young children is unimaginable. The investigation into the fire's cause continues as the community mourns this terrible loss.